First Lady Michelle Obama and actresses Sarah Jessica Parker and Kerry Washington are sitting in the Blue Room at the White House. This trio of female forces, who know one another through their work on the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, aren’t here just to catch up on life. They’re here today to spread a crucial message: This Memorial Day, America’s servicewomen, veterans, and military wives—courageous women—need our help. Over a decade ago, during the height of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, our servicemen and -women were constantly in the public eye, in newspapers, music videos, car commercials. Today, most of the more than 2.5 million men and women who deployed are home safe—but they deserve just as much attention as when they were braving IEDs and insurgents.

During this reentry period, advocates point out, many veterans face hardships (from homelessness and unemployment to post-traumatic stress disorder and the effects of sexual trauma), and we can’t underestimate the support they need. MO: One thing I want to clarify—that every service member, veteran, wants us to remember—is that the vast majority of people returning from service come back completely healthy…. But when we do come across someone who is struggling…we have to develop a culture of open arms and acceptance so that they feel comfortable saying, “I’m a veteran. And by the way, I need little help.” Think about the amount of training the average veteran has received through the military—physical training, project management training, public relations work. Think of an average tour of duty in a foreign land, the money we put into developing that, and then they’re discharged, and what, we let that investment go? Absolutely not. These are some of the best-trained people in our society.

Tanya Edwards: Nikki Reed Gets Personal About Signing Up For Obamacare (The Deadline To Sign Up Is Fast Approaching!)

The deadline to sign up for Obamacare is quickly approaching—and Nikki Reed is speaking out about why everyone needs coverage. She shared with Glamour why she’s so passionate about making sure all women get health insurance. “My experience with the Affordable Care Act is a very personal one. Prior to the ACA, my mother could not afford to have healthcare because of preexisting conditions,” Nikki explains. “…

Aside from her new healthcare policy covering her surgery and physical therapy, it gave my mom a sense of pride. She felt empowered knowing she was able to take care of herself without having to rely on others for help.” Not insured yet? Get over to Healthcare.gov and sign up before March 31st, when everyone must be covered. There will be more time to enroll in the Federal Marketplace if you had trouble with the website, but again, plan for coverage by March 31.

Governor Nikki Haley speaks during a meeting of the Tea Party in Columbia Thursday night at the Statehouse. A.L. Geddings and Louise Geddings of Columbia were representative of the low turnout.

The State: The Columbia Tea Party went from Donald Trump to jilted chump after the celebrity businessman canceled his appearance at Thursday’s State House rally, and state legislators approved tax breaks and spending that the group opposed.

Trump’s decision to not enter the GOP presidential race left local Tea Party leaders stewing about the way they had been treated. But about 30 people were on hand Thursday to thank Gov. Nikki Haley, lawmakers and activists for their work to require more on-the-record Legislative votes.

It was all part of a tough week for the state’s Tea Party movement.…

Columbia Tea Party chairman Allen Olson expected as many as 2,000 would have attended Thursday’s rally had Trump been there. But The Donald, a favorite of many who attended the group’s Tax Day rally with U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann elected to not run and dropped the rally from his schedule.

“It was a kick in the gut, but it gives you a chance to regroup,” said Olson.

Fitsnews: Politicians, political operatives and members of the media came close to outnumbering attendees at a much-hyped Columbia, S.C. Tea Party rally starring U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann and S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley on Monday.

Only 300 people (including a horde of Palmetto political operatives) attended the event in downtown Columbia, S.C. – which is a generous estimate in our book. That attendance figure – confirmed by other media outlets – amounts to less than one-tenth the size of multiple crowds that have gathered at the S.C. State House in recent years in support of parental choice. It’s also roughly a tenth the size of the crowd that attended this same event in 2009.

😳

Well, at least this guy enjoyed himself (although he looks a little lonely):

Hold on: I’ve just noticed this guy has a ‘McCain/Palin’ badge on his hat … will I tell him or will you?😕

I thought maybe it was an old photo used for today’s article ….. but, eh, no:

Gov. Nikki Haley addresses a crowd gathered at the State House during a Tea Party rally, April 18

At least he found two over-taxed friends to sit with, so that was nice.

Meanwhile, you have to love the caption under this photo on The State website: